Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Listen to the Word

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:20-21)

Joseph couldn’t believe Mary would do this to herself and to him. But her expanding tummy spoke for itself – she was clearly expecting, and the baby clearly wasn’t his. So he decided to call off the relationship. But God had other plans. Through a dream, God told him not to cancel that wedding photographer just yet! God told him that that baby on the way was the Savior, the Son of God. Joseph did what God said and took Mary home as his wife.

Joseph put his reputation on the line for the sake of his faith. He knew that every observer would assume that he was either an immoral guy who had slept with her before the wedding, or he was a fool who was marrying her in spite of her unfaithfulness. But Joseph risked embarrassment for God. He chose to do what was right instead of doing what was popular.

Live the Word

Is there someone you have been hesitant to speak with about matters of faith for fear that it might lower their opinion of you? Make the choice to forget your reputation and do what is right. Talk to that person today.